DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will finish a four-game road trip Tuesday night against the New York Islanders.
The Red Wings (26-14-1) are in a three-way tie for first place in the Central Division with the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. The Wings forced the tie with an emotional overtime win on Sunday night at Chicago.
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The Wings will need to win Tuesday to ensure their stay at the top of the division. However, the Islanders, despite their recent struggles, have been a pesky opponent for Detroit.
The Red Wings have dropped the past three meetings at the Nasseua Veterans Memorial Coliseum and lost the lone meeting with the Isles 4-3 this past season on Dec. 31, 2010 at Joe Louis Arena.
Pavel Datsyuk remains hot for Detroit with at least one point in his past 16 of 19 games. Datsyuk scored the game winner Sunday night.
The Islanders are 12 points out of a playoff spot and sit at dead last in the Eastern Conference. They have been outscored 9-3 in their past two games. Everytime it looks like the Isles have a chance to get back into playoff position, they drop big losses.
They are an injury-depleted squad, too. Goaltenders Al Montoya and Rick DiPietro are both out of the lineup with injuries. David Ullstrom, Mike Mottau and Marty Resoner also are injured.
Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves remains on injured reserve with a broken jaw. Forward Chris Conner was reassigned to Grand Rapids on Monday.
The Wings have gone 2-1 in the first three games in this four-game trip with wins over Dallas and Chicago. The Toronto Maple Leafs won 4-3 on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre.
Puck drops at 7 p.m.